THE CONCEPTION
After years of waiting, an escape to Ilocos had been pushed through. It was in 2008, five years ago, when I organized our Ilocos trip with my friends. I booked our online air tickets via Laoag, checked for hotels and planned the itinerary. Unfortunately, I didn’t make it since I am scheduled to be mobilized to my new job abroad before our departure date. Though my friends went their way, all I have to do is to check and comment on their pictures. Since then I am very eager to have a trip to the north.
Last year 2012, I asked my barkadas again for the same trip, we also booked our airline tickets; unfortunately, her vacation was postponed so I need to cancel my trip also. This year, since our vacation schedules came together, we planned again for the north. We initially planned for a drive. There were five of us planning for an escape by one car and two of us to be drivers.
Upon searching for itineraries and things to do in the north, I came across a tour agency, Travel Now Asia, offering the same. I immediately informed my companions for the said tour agency and to what they are offering. I negotiated for a price and it came out to be favorable since we will not be driving anymore. Since it requires 10-12 persons to fill the van, we then decided to include our family and invite our friends for the trip. I brought my mom, my aunt and one friend; Ruby brought her mom and a friend also, we invited Edith to join us and on our departure day, Paul joined the trip. That made 11 of us in this escape.
I initially negotiated for 10 persons namely me (Henry), Rebecca, Vivian, Clifton, Fernd, Johnny, Edith, Ruby, Bernardita, and Dianne for a private group tour. We aimed to fill the van so we can have the luxury of time, we don’t have to adjust to other companions. Travel Now Asia quoted us Php 5,200 per person including the pick-up and drop-off at my place in Cainta, Rizal. Paul just joined on our departure day only. The itinerary includes the transportation and insurance for the trip with driver, two nights accommodation with free breakfast, and Ilocos Norte/Ilocos Sur tourist’s spots. More than 30 possible sites proposed in the itinerary that we are going to visit, depending on our availability.
THE DEPARTURE
July 17, 2013 10:00pm
Our service arrived at 9:30pm to fetch us. We left my place in Cainta to commence our journey to the north bringing along with us some foodstuffs, our bags, cameras and other important things for our travel. As per our itinerary, an evening trip were planned that will take 8-10 hours to arrive at our first destination, Batac, Ilocos Norte. All of us were excited since it will be our first time to see what is up north. The trip is somewhat tiring since it is a night trip and as we all know, we cannot get the comfort of sleeping while on travel, correct? Yet we have the energy to dwell on these things simply because of our aim to see Ilocos with our very own eyes! We made several stopovers along the way for a quick restroom and coffee breaks.
THE EXCURSION
Our first stop early in the morning was at the Quirino Bridge before reaching Vigan. An initial picture taking on this adventure zone wherein we can see an old bridge, I think it is still passable. But since the new bridge is in use, they are turning the old bridge into an Adventure Zone offering zip line adventures. It is a nice place with a calm river, lush greens on the mountains with fogs on the hills since it’s just early morning.
As what you will be expecting for most tourists, picture here and there. We have enjoyed our first stop. It’s like we’re the owners of the bridge as we’re taking pictures at the center of it. The advantage of being there early in the morning, there were lesser vehicles passing.
Moving our way, we take a glimpse at Crisologo Street in Vigan since Paul will not be with us on our last day. He took pictures in advance. We only had few minutes in Vigan, we then proceed to our hotel in Batac, Ilocos Norte.
We checked-in at Sikatel Lodge, ate our breakfast courtesy of the travel agency and had a rest in the morning to be relieved with our tiring evening travel. We’re set to begin our tour in the afternoon. We had an aircon room complete with toilet and shower; a good place to rest. Slept until lunch time to gain back our energy for the afternoon’s adventure.
Close to our hotel, we went to the Riverside for the Empanada, famous delicacy in Batac, Ilocos Norte. Initially, since empanada was our first stop on the day’s tour, we planned to have it as our lunch/snack, and if we happen to pass by a restaurant along the way, that’s the time we’ll decide if we’re going to eat or not. We also brought our sandwiches and other foodstuffs. Riverside empanada was one of the tourist destinations in Ilocos. They are known to have this delicious empanada. They made it right before our very own eyes with the fresh ingredients mixing it to the dough and frying it in the hot oil, there you go, a delicious special hot empanada to eat. Not the typical empanada in our province as what we’re expecting yet it has a unique taste of its own. One order is enough since it is huge and packed with meat, vegetables and egg. Yum!
We had a quick visit at the Immaculate Concepcion Church just around the area. It’s a nice church located at the center of Batac, Ilocos Norte. We just took pictures outside and went to the Presidential Center of Former President Ferdinand Marcos located just adjacent the Immaculate Concepcion Parish.
A flashback during my elementary and high school days remembering that President Marcos’ remains lies on a freezer coffin. I haven’t thought of seeing it personally not until this very day when I went closely to where he laid. A feeling of excitement to be in the place of the former President of the Philippines. Inside is a very secluded place, well-respected one. Everybody are very much welcome to view him. With a dark painted room and a spotlight directed to him, you can really focus on him.
We proceed to his former home, now a museum. We paid entrance fees at around Php 30-50 each. Inside was the history of the late President; who he was as a young adult, his achievements and his love story. Several interesting facts inside the museum, beautiful display of what we have before during his time of Presidency. Remembering the school desk we have used during our elementary days, we were very excited to reminisce our past. We went crazy taking pictures as what we were like during our elementary days sitting on the school desks. Just a small museum yet it showcased the life of the late President.
Leaving Batac, we went straight to Paoay to experience the ever-famous Sand Dunes adventure. We were advised to pay Php 300 each for the 4×4 ride for about 30 minutes to an hour adventure. Divided into two groups, two 4x4s were assigned and off we went cruising the vast sand dunes in the area. The place is so refreshing as it is situated along the coastline fronting the West Philippine Sea. Not minding the heat of the sun, we take pleasure in the up and down terrains. Sudden drops made us shout as we never expected a quick dive. Heart-pounding sensation was felt as we traverse the hilltop seeing a cliff like forms that we don’t have any idea when will be the next dive.
Safety wise, the 4×4 have braces on all sides to allow the passengers hold while cruising. All we need to do is to go with the flow, shout as loud as we can and prepare for the next drop knowing that we’re on top of the hill. I find it really exciting and thrilling as we saw the usual treks ahead of us. Adrenalin rush was felt on every sway of the vehicle knowing that another obstacle is yet to be surpassed.
We had a chance to go near the seashore. The water is so refreshing, it is cold yet you can feel the current as the waves rushed to the shore. Hearing the gushing waves are so relaxing. Fresh sea breeze also fills the atmosphere that we didn’t feel the heat of the sun. The adventure was great, it was such a nice experience. All the stress was being shouted out. Such a wonderful and fun escapade.
Continuing our journey, we’re back to our van to rush to the Malacañang of the North. It is said that it will close at 4:30pm. We arrived the place at 4:10pm unfortunately, it’s already closed as its closing time was 4:00pm. Since we’re late, we were not allowed to get inside the perimeter despite the efforts of explaining to the guards how we wish to see the place. We just took pictures outside the perimeter, just making one part of the building as a background. Sorry for us though.
Weather suddenly becomes gloomy, we went straight away to San Agustin Church of Paoay. We arrived at the vicinity and without more ado, took picture of the church as it is about to rain. In a few minutes, the rain started to fall so we went to a nearby shed just within the area. Then not minding the rain, we ran towards the church to see what’s inside. It was beautiful inside, they have maintained what it is supposed to be the church of the olden times though its walls were already painted and the roofing were already renovated.
It was really an old church. Seeing the stones that were used to build it, so amazing. It was a marvelous creation wherein such great structure constructed centuries ago were still standing. You can see the patterns on how it was designed before. Now with growing plants on the stone, entails restoration and preservation of the place. A lovely creation that needs to be taken cared of so the next generations will still catch sight of what we saw today.
Just across the church was the famous pizzeria where they sell the local delicacy in pizza form, the Pinakbet Pizza. We’re just curious how it tastes, for whether it was really a pinakbet on a pizza or whatsoever. We grabbed the chance and bought one serving for us to savor the taste of it. It was freshly baked as we ordered it. We paid at around Php 250-400 for our order. They have different varieties offered yet we ordered their specialty. It was delicious, as what we expected, pizza flavors are there but we haven’t tasted the pinakbet. What we thought was just the main ingredients of pinakbet, the vegetables, are being used as toppings for the pizza. However, it was tasty and we loved it though.
We went back to the hotel almost dark already, ate our dinner and planned to have a videoke but maybe some of my companions were already tired, only me, my mom, aunt and Clifton took some drinks to have a real good sleep at night. Sisig was our “pulutan” and it’s free of charge since it was part of their promo.
continuation… PART 2
Been here: July 18, 2013
Latest posts by Henru (see all)
- 42KM @ 42 – Cebu City Marathon 2023, The CCLEX Experience - January 8, 2023
- BATAAN… Mt. Natib - June 12, 2017
- BENGUET… MT. PULAG (AMBANGEG TRAIL) - March 17, 2017